In the bleak midwinter, frosty Crepes may moan

[Collymollypuff]

Earth stood hard as iron, my heart like a stone.

Cocoa, sounds as through everything is coming together.

Monty, sorry dh has cocked up on the present front. I only tasked dh with buying a Satnav for dd as he could do that from the comfort of his desk. Have done everything else as otherwise everyone would end up with either nothing or items that dh would like for himself. Present-buying just isn't in dh's skillset.

I decided to make up hampers full of artisan comestibles for hard-to-buy for rellies (seeing as finances allow this year - yay!), so had the most relaxing afternoon of Christmas shopping yesterday. I was driving the back roads of Hardy country, going from farm shop to farm shop, buying all sorts of yummy items. And some nettle wine for a laugh.

X-posts MI and Herbs.

MI

Herbs, you are a whirlwind of activity. I am of your energy levels. And also a bit of your companionable Christmas shopping at Westfield.

No one is awake here, apart from me. I shall brave Tesco shortly.

BD, hooray for the tonic evening with your bestie. Please have a d&s for me tonight!

I am also engaged in a war of attrition with work. I am paid, as extensively noted, an utter pittance for the actual teaching/planning part of my job. To make it even remotely bearable we can claim extra money for such things as training and meetings. It is not written down anywhere what we can claim for, just to make it less likely that we will, and previous bosses have said they won't sign off anything they don't deem 'worthy'.

I have trying to get some training hours from September signed off since then, and have now added some hours from December. I keep getting emails saying it can't be done because of x, y, z. I keep solving x, y and z and sending it back. I SHALL PREVAIL.

Ah yes, I must send invoices.

Poor molly and any other ailing Crepeys. There's still time to get better before Xmas....except MrsS of course who is far too poorly to get in, let alone cover for the entire civil service. I am [shocked] at your arse of a boss.

monty bless you...try not to strangle DH....he is in such good company in respect of male epic present buying fails. I am groaning in frustration for you!

stropps I like your idea of DIY hampers...it reminded me, I used to do a lot of that and covered banana boxes in tissue paper for the purpose. Here, I have been royally let down by Online delivery...yes,not on the high street...I'm looking at you....and have rushed out to a dear little gift shop nearby, for my lovely polish neighbours' presents.

crem forgive me, I'm chuckling at DD and ponginess. My family say I have the nose of a witch, and it's true...I chase them around with the Febreeze...try having a male dominated house...

Herbs you are a dynamo...re present buying and also hammering your bosses about not paying. Don't let them get away with it. I am still chasing travel expenses from early October.... but at least my teaching has been paid. I have one private client who owes me for three treatment sessions and I am wondering what the right length of time is before I send the bailiffs in...

Cv I don't think anyone should worry about mentioning that they have had a good year. It seems to me that one of the special things about this forum is that we are able to be happy for other Crepeys when good fortune strikes, even if we ourselves, are on a downer at the time.

I am feeling quietly anxious about the amount of time I spend out, when the others are home...I seem to avoid getting back, invent excuses, and spend a disproportionate amount of time dicking about on MN in cafes...DH hasn't been home before 10 all week...and I do feel I'm back holding the fort. He is overburdened with Trustee calls and stuff during the day which means he works late to make up the time, so to speak.

Ah well, better get back. Have some packing to do as leaving for the flat tomorrow morning. I do hope I start to look forward to it all sometime soon....

I DO NOT KNOW how lone wimmin in bloke-dominated households cope in the olfactory department. DD1's young gent is quite clearly a perfectly normal teenage boy but he he HONKS. Not in a stale unwashed way, just in an exuberant sort of manner. Also BOOMS. And LOOMS. And has enormous feet.

Morning crépies,
Delighted to hear of the little chinks of light in 2016. Always welcome. It has been a tough year for me with work. I am staggering to the end of an inane week. Mrs S, I swear your people could mingle with my people and we wouldn't know the difference. ( cf husbands) it is staggering how people get into these jobs without a hint of wit or commoner sense. I did a 12 hour stint yesterday to cover a selfish pissed colleague who came over all sick at 4.30pm for a 5-9 shift. There's four hours TOIL I'll never see back.
High points have been all the trips I've had with dh this year. We've been blessed in this regard, and so lucky to be able to enjoy being together. ( although cv & Lalsy, yes to not being a slave to cleaning up after lazy bones in this house)
News; dd has had a shower! but won't let me swipe her rancid clothes. Have left instructions for dh to do this today while I'm at work.
Dsils 50th tonight, and then into the home straight. after today only two more shifts. Back complaining like billyoh, but Pilates is my saviour. Sorry Jesus.

MI ds is currently keeping it all a bay with loooong showers (god help my water bill) but I've heard there comes a point where no amount of washing helps - they come out of the shower and immediately start emitting string odours....

Is it 5.00 tonight?

Febreze Lavender. And if all else fails, chase them with a bottle of bleach Yes, boys also have booming voices and large feet....and they take up far too much space own the sofa.

The stinky one at Chateau Cointreau is not DS (who has always been a clean freak) but DD2. She forgets deodorant and has to be chased into the bath - ironically once she gets into a bath she'll be in there for up to two hours, up to her neck in bath bomb soup, with Netflix in the background. DD1 doesn't seem to possess sweat glands and is cool as a cucumber at all times, even after exercise.

at Lalsy's Arse Boss interview strategy.

Anyway, I'm on the train, making the most of the the trip into town with some light shopping pre-MMU. For once I had my pick of departure stations as DS wanted the driving practice, so I'm on a fast train.

Ds and friends all smell of Lynx. And have enormous shoes which they leave in odd places. But have excellent manners and affectionate parents who drink gin so all good really.

Crem, your despatches are still making me laugh - I am sorry as I know you are on your knees but you are very funny!

Agree re how lucky I feel to have found my people on the interweb.

Have been to Curry's and Lush (hell on earth), now surveying Oxford Street crowds from top deck of No 10 bus. Best place to be.

What a shit year so many of you have had. I am with CV in sometimes not wanting to post as my life is good right now. But DH and I have no parents left and feel we have to make the most of things. (DH is 71).

Tenerife is lovely and would hardly know it is Christmas. Very low key. Internet very patchy so don'the know when
I'll post again so hope you all make it to 25th unscathed and that 2017 is better.
The coasters in the apartment say:
Finish your gin and begin to Sin!

MI, re vast young gent - I think you are meant to hide under the furniture. Catlike. I have to confess I find the smell of testosterone the most wonderful in all the world. I love the "male" sections of gyms. Preferably testosterone with a thin overlay of deodorant however - certainly not rank stale sweat, yuk.

Sorry didn't and s drinkers but I'm not going to be able to join you - I feel a bit rough and that's before any alcohol has passed my lips - need to will myself better if poss but very sad to be bailing on you. Have one - or two - for me? X

What time are we convening for cocktails??

Boo, GGG. Hope you feel better soon.

5.00ish CV

GGG :(.

MI you are correct. It was St Anthony. Jolly Good Chap that he is.

HaHa on smelly teens. Try sharing a car with one for 2 weeks. Ours has taken on a very particular odour that had DSs name all over it.

I've brought out more clothes for him for our holiday, which leaves another bag of stuff that he's been using, zipped up and in the boot. . He says it's all 'fairly clean' but it's plainly not. Would like to find large launderette to dump stuff while we do something for the afternoon, but it's looking unlikely.

I'm wondering quite how long DH will put up with it.

I'm +13 hours, so may be in bed drinking tea while MMU is taking place and cocktails are being consumed. Or whatever. Hope you're having fun.

Colly how are you doing? How's the 'flu?

Uuunghh...I'm surviving, thanks for asking, Cocoa! Am just lying about drinking ginger beer and sleeping. Tomorrow I have to collect the Xmas order though.

Sorry you've got it too, GGG.

Am resolved to do much more immunity boosting in 2017. I am so sick of coming down with viruses and then being floored for bloody ages. I'm not even sure all of my social contacts believe me when I excuse myself from social events because I am ill in bed YET AGAIN. I must thank BTM, Lalsy and Addle for the BP walks, which undoubtedly help in my fitness drive, and all the Crepeys who post about your inspiring ladyjogs, ladyswims, dog walks, etc. And Cocoa for the Draconian Clinic recommendation!

Here's to more bp walks in 2017, Molly!

And I too have found creoeys a wonderful source of joy, wisdom, support - and filth - this year. I am profoundly pleased, grateful and slightly surprised. Xx

A dearth of d'n's due to lack of mint!! I ask you!

Thank you all - much needed drink and company.

Meanwhile dp has cleaned the kitchen - this means I won't be able to find anything for months....

I too am heading home feeling sentimental about my lovely mates.